LEE Bullock confirmed his move to Cardiff today and then backed former club York City to regain their Football League status next season.

The 23-year-old midfielder has agreed personal terms with the First Division Welsh club after a successful loan spell at Ninian Park last season.

City are believed to have thrashed out a £100,000 deal with Cardiff that will be paid in full after Bullock has made 25 appearances.

Bullock's switch to Cardiff coincided with the Minstermen's relegation to the Conference but he believes the summer signings of experienced trio Steve Davis, Paul Groves and Kevin Donovan will help the Bootham Crescent outfit bounce back at the first attempt.

He said: "Experience was really what we were lacking last season. I've never played in the Conference so I don't know what it's all about but those lads have done a hell of a lot in the game and I'm sure they will help bring through the four youth-team lads who have been signed up from last season.

"Lee Nogan knows a lot of people and I also know that Chris Brass would not sign bad players."

Bullock also believes that last season's player of the year Darren Dunning will once more be a key figure for City in 2004/05 and hopes that old pal Stuart Wise is given a new contract.

He said: "Dunny will do the same again because you are guaranteed the same from him week in, week out. If he was playing in the First Division or the Conference he would go about his job in the same manner and with the same attitude. He will probably be the player of the year again.

"Stuart Wise also showed a lot of class at the start of last season and, if he comes back fit and gets a new contract, I think he can be an important player."

Several clubs expressed an interest in Bullock after Cardiff stalled over a permanent deal following three goals in just four starts for the Bluebirds.

But the Stockton-born midfielder admitted that Ninian Park was always his favoured destination.

He said: "I had my heart set on going to Cardiff and have not even spoken to another manager. Hartlepool were rumoured to be enquiring and that might have appealed to me if things had not worked out with Cardiff because it's only ten miles away from home but I never talked to them.

"I'm over the moon to sign for Cardiff. It's been no fault of anybody's that it's dragged on. It's just been a matter of me being away, as well as the secretary at Cardiff and Lennie Lawrence but I will be going down to Cardiff this week to sign the contract."

Bullock also thanked player-boss Brass and the club's fans for their support during his six years at City.

He said: "Brassy has been brilliant. I've spoken to him quite a bit recently.

"He was a good mate before he became manager and has remained so afterwards. He's the kind of person you want to see succeed because he wants you to succeed as well.

"The supporters have also been fantastic over the last couple of years. The worst happened at the end of last season but the club will be one of the best supported in the Conference and I am sure that they will bounce back up.

"I will be looking out for them and will certainly be in the crowd at Hereford if I haven't got a game with Cardiff on that day."

Finance director Terry Doyle welcomed the end to the long-running saga over Bullock's future, saying: "I'm pleased to say we have finally agreed payment terms with Cardiff subject to Lee Bullock signing hopefully this week. Lee has been a model professional who has conducted himself impeccably and set high standards both on and off the pitch.

"I know I am speaking on behalf of the board and all York City fans when I wish him well at Cardiff. He has clearly demonstrated that he can play at a higher level and clubs of our status have to be realistic when dealing with players of that ability."

Halifax Town have offered a trial to released City midfielder Christian Fox.

The 23-year-old Scotsman was one of 11 senior professionals discarded by Brass at the end of last season.

Updated: 10:53 Tuesday, June 22, 2004